TwinSpires.com Blog

Pocono’s Powerhouse Features

Pocono Downs shines with features on Sun Stakes Saturday, June 22,with eliminations for finals at the Pennsylvania oval next week, including a big event on the Hambletonian Trail which you can read about on the excluscive blog.

Soph-colt pacers go in elims for the Max Hempt and the fillies ride for spots in the sister event, the James Lynch. Older pacers, a great bunch of stalwarts, battle in Ben Franklin elims and the soph trotters on the Hambo Trail set up the fields for the Earl Beale, Jr.

Our exclusive harness horses to watch (H2W) list from tracks around North America isn’t quite as bountiful as it was during the winter but those on the list need be taken seriously in their various outings.

TwinSpires offers special bonuses for Hoosier Park throughout the harness meet. Check out the Hoosier details here.

Pacers To The ‘Max’

Next week’s Max Hempt Memorial for glamour-boy pacers at Pocono will try to shuffle the deck of division contenders while, most likely, still have to deal with Captaintreacherous (photo above). In the third of three elims this June 22, the “Captain” takes on foes that have failed to loom dangerous so far. Rockin Amadeus, who beat Captain with a soft trip in the Breeders Crown at two, has returned without force and from post 8 seems less a threat than any others in this field. The morning line on Captain is 2-1? Take a deep breath, hope for such a miracle and wager.

In the first elim Johny Rock is bound to make more noise than he did trying for the bigger bucks and Lonewolf Currier is certainly sharp now but Emeritus Maximus is the most likely value contender. He just won at Pocono and deserves a shot stepping up against a few foes he has beaten earlier, when they were hammering out their soph starts.

In the second elim, Tony Alagna’s Wake Up Peter, who was touted up the kazoo against Captain in the North America Cup, still hasn’t lived up to all the hype. In the “Cup” he got Team Alagna third money on top of first money (with Captain). But here you have a shot at a big price, since Ultimate Beachboy will go off at odds far larger than his chances. With driver George Napolitano, a Pocono mainstay, replaced by Andy McCarthy, added to the “Peter” principal, “Beachboy” has a good shot at making the final with a win here. He is coming off of a great race at Philadelphia and in the perfect place at Pocono (post 5) to produce a major crush.

The top three finishers from each elimination advance to the $500,000 final.

 ‘Lynch’ Mob

With the two probable choices on the outside, odds for Jerseylicious may be at a bargain level as a low-priced overlay. She certainly seems to be ready to pop a big mile this time around in the first James Lynch elim.

In elim two it is harder than in the Fan Hanover to pass I Luv The Nitelife. She defined awesome in that affair and comes here with fire in her belly. Even the local success of Somwhereovrarainbow doesn’t seem to be much of a scare.

The top four finishers from each elim, plus the fastest fifth-place finisher, advance to the $300,000 final.

Big ‘Ben’

The older pacing guys are at it again, this time eliminating for next week’s Ben Franklin final. There are three elims, so a herd of big guys have joined in the battle, with the top three finishers in each elim meeting for the $500,000 final.

In elim one it would be foolish to dismiss Golden Receiver, though his recent two efforts are dull, at best. He returns to the scene of his marvelous win in May and there is no reason to think he won’t male major noise. But near his morning line, 7-2, he is truly golden, especially with Betterthancheddar having to once again take the long route around more than two turns.

Round two is tough, with cases for at least four to take the cake. Suffice it to say that the odds should make up your mind but here are the three that should make it to the final—Razzle Dazzle, Fred And Ginger and Heston Blue Chip. That’s right, we toss out Sweet Lou here. Of those three, you may want to back “Fred” again, as his last race was marred by a stressful trip and he is still in tip top form and he may get the bargain position in the betting of that trio.

Now everyone loves Pet Rock after his win last week. And everyone still admires Bolt The Duer and Foiled Again is still the richest of them all. But we are going to find value and back Hurrikane Kingcole. He is Bolt The Duer’s best friend because he sets up that one’s miles often, providing suck-up cover. But here the “Hurrikane” may not tire as easily. In fact, he may get some cover if “Foiled” is beginning to worry about his season (he hasn’t won since April).

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track to decide how you will use the information. The list has shortened as the stakes season ensues but still offers the best possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races.

The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the track after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means that horse is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared.

An “ae” signals the horse is entered but on the also-eligible list (so it might not get into the race). Multi-horses may be listed in the same race.  Horses from previous lists that are not racing this week will no longer appear until they are confirmed in a race.

Wagering on any of the H2W listed horses is based on your own judgment. Your handicapping skills should include decisions to wager to win, place, show or in exotics. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel.   

H2W 

Buffalo
6/22/13, Cheyenne Cam R1; Win A New Day R5; Gerald N Sam R9; Fantasypan R10; Up Front Lady Gray R11; Creating A Dream R12; +So Over R13

Maywood
6/21/13, Too Tall Tamarac R2; Really Lucky R4; Five Cougars A R8; Mystical Walter R9; Bluebird Muffler R14

Northfield
6/22/13, Casimir Luckynutz R1; Elvis Returns R2; Timer R3; Lost Photo R5; Mj’s Victory R10; Majestic Duke R11; Nisty’s Dignity R13; His Eminence R14   

Pompano
6/22/13,+Bolero Topgun R10; +Camp Counselor R10  

Running Aces
6/22/13, +Dolly Howard R1; Place At The Beach R2; +Ben N Al R3; Parthenon R4; High Bet Hanover R5; Furious Five R5; Ty Top R8; Hammers Cam R9

Saratoga
6/22/13, Hazel Nut R2; Jds Memory R2; Vodkas Terror R3; Might Art ae R6; Pop Z Pop R7; Ideal Wizard R8; Daydreamin Lynx R8; Money Twitch A R9

Scarborough
6/21/13, +Keystone Howie R 9; 
6/22/13, +Scootin Keefe ae R7; Lislea Bonita R7

Scioto
6/21/13, Ee Bay ae R11
6/22/13, +Lucky Lime R5; Show Topper R6; +Stand Tall R13

Ray Cotolo contributed to this edition.

Eliminations Galore With North America Cup Headlining

Glamour-boy pacers are in the limelight this weekend as the North America Cup eliminations are featured at Mohawk Raceway and this year’s first $1-million affair takes shape (the final is next week). The filly set takes aim at the Fan Hanover final field with a single elim—a field of 10—on the same program, June 8.

On June 7 at Mohawk older femme trotters take to the track for Armbro Flight elims. That final will also adorn the classy card complementing the million-dollar “Cup” event.

The soph trotters go on June 8 at Mohawk also with the eliminations for next week’s Goodtimes final. As this is along the road to August, you can read our analysis of those races and as well as June 7’s Elegant Image elims and the Currier & Ives splits at the Meadows in this week’s Hambletonian Trail blog, brought to you exclusively by TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society.

More winners are projected in our exclusive harness horses to watch (H2W) list from tracks around North America.

TwinSpires offers special bonuses for Hoosier Park throughout the harness meet. Check out the Hoosier details here.

‘Cup’ Contests

A trio of North America Cup elims were necessary as the division stacks up its talent to chase Captaintreacherous. Arguably the best pacer to come along since his sire, Somebeachsomewhere, Captaintreacherous appears to be on course to fulfill expectations far better than last year’s hopes that rode with pacer Sweet Lou. The industry is quick to annoint soph champs by their frosh history but over and over again we see others emerge in a new season with far more talent than they projected as freshmen.

Captaintreacherous (pictured right with trainer Tony Alagna) may very well be the exception; in fact, he could be even better than expected—he is that good. Thus far he has not been fully tested but like his sire he won’t be doing anything but trying to win against any foe. In the first Cup elim he won’t be facing any obvious threats. Last week, we enjoyed a 56-1 second with Varadero Hanover, who we feel is improving greatly, though perhaps not to the level of the “Captain.” Those two would make for a decent exacta if “Vara” is at all overlooked.

The Captain’s Breeders Crown nemesis, Rockin Amadeus, won the classic with a pocket trip, which was the only time he ever defeated him. In the second Cup elim, “Amadeus” must orchestrate a win against Martini Hanover, who came back very sharp with age. In this field, “Martini” may be the bet, with money stacking up on the sides of Twilight Bonfire and Fool Me Once before him. That is hard to forecast but Martini certainly gets the call from those of us looking to get any price on this affair.

Certainly Vegas Vacation rules this elim if we consider his recent surge to success for trainer Casie Coleman. Nothing would please her more, we are sure, to be conditioning the dragon slayer, so to speak, if “Vegas” shakes the Captain at his own game. However, Vegas has to get to the final through this elim before considering any challenges. This means taking Johny Rock seriously, for he has shown some soph muscle.

Also in the mix, though not debuting with great array, is Odds On Equuleus, as well as the mystery presented by Apprentice Hanover (has he strengthened his stride?). “Equuleus” was disappointing last week, finishing sixth. Trainer Robin Schadt said the colt needed that race, which was not their first choice for a debut (they pulled the colt from a proposed start at Vernon when illness hit the backstretch). If you are looking for an upset, look for Equuleus to race big in the elims, as it makes great sense he will be all out to get into the final and being all out may mean he wakes up—and at fine odds.

Fan Hanover Heroines

Ten glamourous soph-gal boy pacers look to find one of eight posts in the Fan Hanover final next week at Mohawk in the single June 8 elimination mile. Most of these femmes have name recognition, returning from successful frosh careers, but we do not have a firm division leading trio, no less a solo heroine.

Until last week, I Luv The Nitelife was the closest thing to a division leader as they come but she was beaten in last week’s sires stakes, though by a neck, after an easy trip. This raises hopes on other gals that may be improving with maturity.

Parlee Beach was an early find for us last season and she did well enough, though promising more. She is a good candidate to improve at three for trainer Ron Burke and she gets the Mohawk wood on her side with Yannick Gingras to guide here. Since “Nitelife” will still wind up a massive favorite in our opinion, Burke’s “Beach” may have the edge and offer the price we are looking to get. In exotics we would not discount Love Canal or outsider Handsoffmycupcake. If Nitelife winds up out of the money (still making the final, of course), this could be one hell of a trifecta.

Trotters In ‘Flight’

The Armbro Flight elims are each worth $35,000 for the older mares and due to the division, these are two exceptional betting races. The trotting-mare group is usually quite competitive, especially since members do not get the chances other divisions have at racing for big dollars (the conditions are for fillies and mares but rarely does a sophomore enter).

These two splits define the tight competition involved. In the first venture, the popular Cedar Dove makes a new season of it and her name recognition alone will attract money. Top trainers have entries here, including Jimmy Takter and Ron Burke. But our support will have to go to Dorsay. Trainer Jonas Czernyson is bringing his stock back this season with early fire and this one has the credentials to have improved over last season. As well, she will certainly offer a good price for a victory.

Then, we look for an upset of Maven and Beatgoeson Hanover with a tough gal that showed a lot of spark late last year with the odds against her—Bax Of Life. She will be an outside contender and rightfully so with the aforementioned stars of last season waving their credentials about. However, we want the price and with the right trip Bax Of Life offers just that.  

H2W Legend

Review our choices and follow the wagering at the prescribed track to decide how you will use the information. The list has shortened as the stakes season ensues but still offers the best possible contenders we have judged from reviewing races.

The horses’ names are listed beneath the name of the trck after the date they will be racing. The race in which they are entered (R and race number) follows. If a + is in front of a horse’s name it means that horse is appearing on the list for the second (and last time) because it failed to win the first time it appeared.

An “ae” signals the horse is entered but on the also-eligible list (so it might not get into the race). Multi-horses may be listed in the same race.  Horses from previous lists that are not racing this week will no longer appear until they are confirmed in a race.

Wagering on any of the H2W listed horses is based on your own judgment. Your handicapping skills should include decisions to wager to win, place, show or in exotics. If you have any questions about the H2W list, send them to us through the TwinSpires blog channel.

H2W